GCSE’s summer 2020 thread 5 - And then there were none..

[FoolsAssassin]

Once upon a time there was a group of year 11 students who had spent the last few years preparing to sit their GCSE exams in the summer of 2020. Then one day they woke up and found themselves as characters in a real life disaster movie and as if by magic the exams disappeared.

What lies next for the Corona Cohort?!

Thread 4
Thread 3
Thread 2
Thread 1 (Year 10)

Anyone lurking please feel free to jump on in .

DD would have sat Latin language paper this morning.
She has Latin A level bridging work from current school and new school so has enough to keep her out of mischief
This week we would all have been sharing our DCs impressions of the papers and hopefully laughing at circulating GCSE memes...
Just seems unreal

We didn’t get as far as receiving a timetable. DS’s new college will be doing some lessons via TEAMs after half term plus a one hour weekly workshop for one subject so I was pleased to see that.

It often does feel like a parallel universe.

Dd just woken up. She would have slept through one exam and been late for the next!

@AnneOfCleavage She’s doing Lit - her school don’t offer Lang.

Their syllabus has a huge focus on analysing unseen writing, so they spend the first 2 terms reading a massive range of texts from all eras to give them context whether they’re faced with pre 18th C drama or post modern poetry. They start their actual texts at Easter of Year 12.

This morning’s session was on Tony Harrison’s Them and Uz, which she loved. I hope Biology is as positive tomorrow!

Now gone out to buy ingredients for cookies.

That sounds better @Alsoplayspiccolo and glad school are helping a bit. I really hope there is something put in place for musicians etc music has become so prevalent during lockdown as has the need for exercise, connecting with people etc.

All ok this end worrying about how Dd going to fit in extracurriculars for her music degree application for Uni what with social distancing. The college has a big intake for popular performance and a tiny intake for Alevel not sure the opportunities will be there.
She has her heart set on Southampton not very far from us at all, she really is a homebird and lockdown has highlighted to her how close she is MIL i think..early yo think about but music is her life and grts her through it all.

It really does feel like we are in an alternative universe.

@KingscoteStaff I had to do that when I started A level many years ago ...our
English teacher warned us not to complain as apparently the previous year had. If we didn't want to do it we were to choose another A level

It does feel odd that DD would have been doing her French exam this morning and Biology this afternoon. Agree with the alternative universe analogy.

DD signed up for the Benedetti Foundation virtual sessions orchestra for the next 3 weeks which got her out of bed before 10am yesterday. She enjoyed them and said she’s really missed all her playing with others. She’s also been doing some music theory and composition.

Paddington, DS is doing the Benedetti sessions too. They seem really good so far.

Oh dear - Reading definitely cancelled. I knew it would be, you all knew it would be, but DD was still desperately hoping...

Yes I thought it would be cancelled but now that it’s confirmed they have nothing at all to look forward to. Though ds doesn’t seem too disappointed (and I am secretly relieved - will feel more at ease about him going next year).

This years timings meant DD could go, its a week later than normal. Next year DD we think won’t be able to make it due to sports. Its just another kick in the teeth. Look like the national comps will also be cancelled. There is literally nothing left of her celebrations/things she loves.

Leeds Festival also cancelled - we knew it would happen and tbh I had already told DD that I didn't want her going as she has mild Asthma , so relieved it's definitely off as will save a lot of argument if her friends were still going. Tickets can be reserved for next year and as already paid for, something less to pay for next year :-) I have to admit I'm secretly happier that she will be a year older...

Not much work going on here, she is looking at some of her A level pre reading but not much. Plans to do some baking and dropping them off at friends houses sometime this week, as one of her friends did that last week and it was a really nice touch and made DD feel special.

We had the reading email too. I’m sort of glad as they will be older next year but also sad for them for missing even more this year. Are you all rebooking? We had the conversation but we’re unsure at the moment. My view is that it will be twice as busy next year and tickets may sell out quickly. Also might be more expensive next year!

DD is saying ‘It won’t be the same next year - it’ll be full of Year 11s’!
Also, 2 of her friendship group are moving elsewhere for 6th form and they might want to go somewhere with new friends. Her plan is to get a refund and go to a different festival next year.

Interesting, DS says that all the year 12s go too at his school. He is staying on as are the vast majority of the year (not many leave to go elsewhere as a general rule) so will have the same groups of friends.

My Dd did not go until Y12 and went for several years after that, even though she had left school. It’s not just for Y11s!

Hope you got to partake of some baked goodies @Heifer?
Sorry for all those festi goers who are dissapointed

DD has been giving me gel manicures and pedicures. My trotters have never looked so good

I have been dealing with travel pass, locker deposit, printing credit and induction week payments and forms today. Feels a little strange with everything going as if part of an old life!

For what year FoolsAssassin?

For starting 6th form in September . I guess they are doing all the paperwork they would normally do and being hopeful.

We got some transition work for new school today. Finally a bit of work to do. Should have done 2 exams today - Biology and Computer Science.

DD would have sat Chemistry and Latin Prose Literature today.
She has had a lot of A level prep work from current school and new school- really impressed!
She’s also feeling a part of what will be her new community as has been chatting via SM to fellow September Yr12s.
I’m working out the best time to apply for the 16-17 rail card so that it lasts her until the end of Yr13 as she’s autumn born.
Meanwhile, DD is also bagging online sale stuff to build a ‘business wear’ wardrobe whilst also rooting out long lost stuff of mine from a ‘former life’ 😂

DD had her first A level Chemistry session today. Very intense, plus she needs to finish class work, do homework AND start some independent research!

DD reckons the teacher’s trying to flush out anyone who’s not super committed.

A level courses started for DD but seems quite laid back.

We're getting refund for Reading. DD's friends going elsewhere for 6th form so who knows how much things will have changed by next summer.

Just feel flat at the moment.

Proggymat I’ve bought DS a suit online in the sales too, lovely suit for £50! Will be looking for a second one also but a lot of the sale ones are all mismatched jacket and trouser sizes.

DS started his A level bridging lessons this week, very minimal and laid back also. He’s now up to 3000 words on his EPQ draft I haven’t read it yet so that could be 3000 words of gibberish for all I know!